Question about options for installing bookcase back

[lawhoo]

I'm building a pair of bookcases using cherry plywood in a mid-Century style.  The side panels and shelves are 3/4-inch plywood, and the back is 1/2-inch.  My question is about how best to attach the back.  I'm considering two options:

1.  1/4-inch dado located 1/4 inch in from the back on the sides and the top and bottom panels.  Add a 1/4-inch rabbet along the edges of the back side of the back panel.  Once installed, the back panel would be flush with the rear edges of the bookcase.

2.  Use dominos on the edges of the back panel and inside edges of the sides and the top and bottom panels.  I could widen the mortices, since I wouldn't need tight side-to-side tolerances.

Which of these options would you use, or do you have an even better idea?

 

[Locks14]

I'd go with option 1 personally.

I think option 2 is probably over complicating it  and  probably finding an excuse to use dominos when they're not really needed.

I always go with the rule of thumb that if there are two solutions equally effective, go with the one that's simpler and cheaper.

 

[tjbnwi]

#1, but a 1/2" dado, 1/4" recessed.

Tom

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I'm with tjbnwi.  Keep it simple.  Attach with a few small screws so that it can be removed needed.

 

[mouppe]

As Tom said, but I'd go with 3/8" or even 1/4" thick plywood. 1/2" is unnecessarily heavy. I'd also screw it into the shelves in a couple of places.

 

[semenza]

1/2" dado if you already have the 1/2" plywood. Otherwise get 1/4" plywood.  1/4" recessed from back edge. 

Seth

 

[CharlesWilson]

1/2" dado if you already have the 1/2" plywood. Otherwise get 1/4" plywood.  1/4" recessed from back edge. 

Seth

I'm with Seth on this one.

Charles

 

[Sparktrician]

And now, for the outlier...  Rout a 1/4" dado, 1/2" from the back into each side panel, then you can set 1/2" thick nailer reinforcement strips in the 1/2" gap at the back.  You can also use pocket screws to reinforce the strength of the strips by screwing them to the sides.  I use one reinforcement strip on each tall bookcase, spaced down 100mm from the top.  I look at these as a safety device which prevents the bookcase from being tipped over on a kid that tries to climb it.  Cut the back width 1/8" shy to allow the back to move left-right as needed to accommodate the movement of the wood in the sides since the actual dimension will be held by the reinforcing strip.  YMMV